Ischgl Piste Guide: Which Runs to Ski (and Which to Avoid)
With over 239 kilometers of slopes, the Silvretta Arena is massive. But let’s be honest: looking at a map doesn’t tell you the real story.
Why trust this review? We all have that one friend who is an annoyingly good skier. You ask them: “How are the conditions?” and they say: “Perfect!”… while you are sliding down a sheet of ice or struggling through massive bumps (moguls).
This guide is not written for that friend. This guide is written for the “normal” skier. We enjoy carving on perfectly groomed corduroy, we dislike icy patches, and we definitely don’t like surprise mogul fields at the end of the day.
We have skied Ischgl for over 17 years, so we know exactly which slopes stay smooth, which ones turn into a battlefield, and where the hidden gems are.
Looking for the party after the skiing? Check our Best Apres Ski Bars in Ischgl guide.
Need info on the villages? Read our full Ischgl Travel Guide.
Here is our honest breakdown of the Ischgl slopes, starting with the warm-ups.
The Warm-up (Blue Cruisers)
🔵 6 First of the trip (Pardorama)
Every trip we traditionaly arrive at Pardorma and start with blue slope number 6. We know it well, it’s not difficult and after some months of absence it’s good to feel comfortable the first meters on a slope.
🔵 23 Long Blue one
This is traditionally one of our first slopes of our trip as we try to do some blue slopes when we arrive. Typically we arrive at Pardorama, go down on blue slope 6, following on 2 and taking the lift to slope 23. After this we are well warmed up to start our day. This slope can become very crowded and become very difficult as a result. There is also 1 part where you might have quite some moguls or bumps. You might escape them a little bit when you go completely to the left of the piste.
🔵 2 The Tricky Blue
Slope from Idalp to go the other side of the area. Often in bad shape and the steep part often has moguls. The trick is to go completely to the right of the slope, and then it’s easier and in better shape. Make sure you have speed enough at the end to reach the lift without having to walk or struggle.
Pro Tip: Keep for the far right side of the slope to avoid the worst parts!
The Classics (Must-do)
🔴 7 Endless slope
Cool red slope which starts from 2 different locations. The start at the Pardorama is easier because it bypasses the steep part from the start at lift B1. In December, when we go, the second part (7a) is mostly closed. Recently they changed the colour of 7a from red to black . This part is rather hard because there are longer steeper parts and it keeps you going. Getting back from halfway is via the new Velilleck lift (2019).
🔴 40 One of the longest
Very long red slope which get hard if you don’t stop a single time. There is somewhere shortly after the start a very technical short turn and often it’s not in good shape, but don’t be too scared, normally everyone manages to take it without accidents. I think this is one of the longest slopes in the area.
🔵 🔴 10/11/12/13 All on Idalp next to each other
At the Mittelstation Idalp you have plenty of lifts (B) and slopes. The are all blue and red and are relatively long. Even later on the day, they normally stay quite well in condition. In this area you also have the inflatable pillow which we tried back then in 2018.
For Adrenaline Junkies (Black)
⚫ 14a/b/c For daredevils (Lange Wand)
The steepest slope in the area (70%). It took a long time before we dared to take this slope. Seeing the percentage so explicitly somewhat held us back. But we took it on a nice day with good snow conditions, and in fact, it is like any other steep black slope. Of course there are steeper parts, but all experienced skiers will survive 🙂
⚫ 20/21 Parallel black
Black slopes which look steep depending from the angle you look at them. We will always remember these as when you want to start the slope, you don’t see it, so you gently go deeper and deeper, till you see the slope. Once you see the slope, you are to far down to return. They are steep, but very wide and always in good condition. You can end them with a flat part, so even if you are a beginner and loose a bit the control, you can normally safely quickly stop on the flat part. These were one of our first black slopes ever. We like them.
⚫ 33/34/35 Awesome black ones
Nice black slopes which are normally not that crowded. For some reason it took us some years before we started to take these slopes, but we really enjoy them.
The Hidden Gems & Routes 💎
🔵 2b The hidden one
A bit hidden to find it, and not that long. Never crowded as most people overlook the slope. When you go down behind Ide Alp buildings on slope 1, you almost immediate have the slope on your left side. This also means it’s still well prepared even late in the afternoon. When we want a more easy slope, we often take this in between. You can then take the lift and come back on the 8 or the baby piste, which are also always good till end of the day.
🔴 42 Ski route
Rather new and only open since the new Piz Val Gronda (E5) gondola was opened. The slope 42 is often closed, but the ski route 42 is mostly open. That is an unprepared slope, but that should not hold you back. The red slope is not too steep but make sure you have enough speed at the end to overcome the gentle uphill and flat ending.
The Valley Runs
🔴 1 Valley Run
Make sure you prepare yourself to end up in the right part of the city, or you might need to walk the entire village carrying your skis. Unless you just take the lift up again. There are plenty of steeper parts, and especially the section ending at the Schatzi bar can be tricky at the end of the day. In front of the steeper parts you might often see people pausing or gathering courage. My advise is to slow down, but don’t stop as taking off will be a mind game.
🔴 5 Alternative
It is an exit from the blue number 6 and is a great alternative to the very busy number 1. There is only 1 more tricky part which is rather narrow and this can be a little more challenging depending on conditions. Once you make it to the cross road with number 4 you can either continue on the 5 or take 4, which we often do. You’ll join slope 1 way closer to the valley and if you need to end at Pardatschrat, it should be OK till you reach the final more steeper stretch in front of the Schatzi bar.
The "Love It or Hate It" (Watch Out!) ⚠️
🔴 38 Horrible slope
Piste 38: The “Horrible” One We have a love-hate relationship with this one. Mostly hate. It starts with a nasty, steep section and is often very icy with awkward, skewed parts (hanging slopes). Why we ski it: Some of our friends love the technical challenge, and somehow we end up on it every year. Pro Tip: If you hate ice, try to avoid this one late in the day, or bail out early by crossing to the other black slope.
Samnaun / Switzerland (Duty Free Run) 🇨🇭
🔵 60 Carving!
Awesome blue slope where you can keep going and take quite some speed and nice turns. Only annoying part is that you end in a small village where you have to take the bus to the big Twinliner or its neighbor. We take this slope for lunch and eat in the restaurant at the end of the slope. Then we can easily time well to get a bus without too much waiting.
🔵 62 & 🔴 63
Some great longer slopes to the valley of Samnaun. Especially the more hidden slope 63 is a great one with some nice turns. Make sure to keep your speed near the end to be able to reach the next lift. People come together from 3 different directions so make sure to look a bit around to avoid collisions on more busy moments.
🔴 80 Poling
In the beginning rather technical but real fun but it end with 2 km flat where you have to do poling (push yourself). We don’t enjoy this, so we only take this slope once per 3-4 years.